The increase in women travelers is a fascinating trend. Even more so when coupled with the prospect of scores of female tourists wandering solo across the globe. In fact, an article in The Boston Globe was recently encouraging women to go at it alone claiming that locals would be eager to reach out to them. That being said, the main concern for women traveling solo continues to be safety. It’s important that solo travelers, especially women, take all necessary precautions to ensure a safe trip. The U.S. Department of State has a comprehensive list to help tourists.

Have you traveled solo? Would you consider it? Any tips?

Read about free rides home for women on Friday and Saturday nights.
___________________________________________________________________________________Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing a travel article or photograph for publication.

Comments

I’ve traveled to a few Western European countries alone. Not much of a concern. Just important not to do anything that you wouldn’t do at home. Avoid certain places after dark. Don’t drink too much alcohol. Using common sense usually worked in most places.

In the end, it’s about using common sense as Steph said. I’ve been on a solo trip, but tried to make friends along the way. Leaving home alone doesn’t mean it has to remain that way. For women especially it’s important to stay attentive as some men have an image of Western women and think they’re easier to get with.

Not doing things that would be considered unsafe at home is a great starting spot for any travelers who wants to avoid danger.

@Seth

There is an element of people abroad who have that notion about Western women. There are some in the West who treat women poorly too. Point is well taken though. A lot of men abroad who want to be your “friend” are often expecting more.

I think it’s pretty cool that women are taking the initiative to get out there and travel. I haven’t done the solo thing yet, but have plenty of friend who have without major problems. It’s always smart to let your family/friends know where you’ll be. Use a money belt. And I agree with making some friends along the way.

I have done the solo traveling bit before I was married. I think it depends on the location. For example, I would not travel by myself to India. Gender relations there tend to be very traditional and men can grab women that they think are easy. Unfortunately, Western women are viewed as being easy.

Besides very traditional countries, I never had any problem anywhere in the world when I used to travel solo. Kind of cool that more women are traveling solo.

I’ve traveled solo in Paris and Amsterdam. The museums in Paris were a bit tough because you want to share your experience. I commented on a painting at the Orsay to a man next to me and his wife shot me a look and dragged him off. Unfortunately women traveling solo are still suspect, even to other women. That said, the waiters couldn’t have been kinder to me. Dining alone in Paris is tough, but they made me feel welcome.

Hey, Gennaro! I used to travel solo a good bit before marriage and kids… I can’t remember the last time I did ANYthing solo right now! I will say that I agree with Nadia, it kind of depends on location, and also how thick the woman’s skin is (to safely ignore the sometimes ridiculous attention.)

One of the things I encountered, since I was often flying MYSELF to Latin American countries, was that I was not taken seriously. I once landed in a small town in Mexico, where gun-toting, military-looking guys ran out to the plane as soon as I stopped the engines. They asked, “Who is the Captain?” and, when I replied that I was, the laughed and said, “No, really.” They thought I was joking! It was incomprehensible to them that I was the pilot in command… which says a lot about how they view women in general.

I have to say, I prefer traveling with my husband or a good friend, just to be on the safe side.
=-)

B.C. – Before child, I used to travel solo. But now, my husband and child want to string along as much as they can! I am actually considering some “me” time or solo travel once a year (there might be some opposition from the family here). but it’s something I just need to stay sane! Just me, my camera, and my laptop.

I’ve mostly traveled with girlfriends more as a matter of choice – I prefer the companionship and someone to enjoy those “aha” moments with as well as the frustrating times on the road (something we can look back and laugh at together). I’ve also been fortunate to have had great relationships with my travel companions and am grateful for that!

Some solo women travels that I admire include Sherry Ott and Barbara Weibel they are two gutsy ladies and have very inviting writing styles!

Dude, I thought at first I share this blog with my wife. After this post I think i’d better not. LOL!!! 😉
I sent once my precious to a trip to Greece with her friend, a female too. That was interesting experience. 😉
Interesting observation.

I travel solo all the time and have not had any problems. It’s nice not having to negotiate with anyone else about where to go or what to do all day every day. I like to take a lot of pictures when I travel, and I think there’s only so much of that other people are willing to take. 🙂 Dining alone is not usually a problem–I either eat at a bar so I can chat with others, or I record my experiences in a journal while waiting for food to arrive. If I get lonely, I strike up a conversation with whoever happens to be around.

I haven’t traveled, though, to a region that is very culturally different in terms of the way women are treated here in the US. If I were to do so, I would probably join a tour group. “Safety in numbers” and all that.

You hit on a number of the advantages for solo travel. Freedom to make decisions about your day is near the top of the list for most who travel solo.

This is really one issue that has really strong arguments on both sides. Much of it comes down to the individual’s personality or preference. If it’s a choice between traveling alone or not at all, I’d like to think most would choose to travel regardless.

I went to Vegas for my 21st birthday solo. I had been there a few times before, but because of the people I traveled with, never got to do the things I wanted to. Taking the cabs turned out to be very beneficial – the drivers were fascinated I took the trip by myself and gave me tips on where to and not to go at certain times for the best and safest experience.

I’ve traveled solo to Mexico (Jalisco) – not a destination I would go alone again. It was hard going out and always having men whistle, try to talk to you, invite you out, etc. I didn’t go out at night at all. I would do it again if I was single, but at another destination.

I’m married with children and I travel solo except for the annual family trip. I love the freedom of solo travel and am excited that more women are ignoring traditional scare tactics and going it alone. Since I’m from a big city, I have a well-honed street sense and have rarely had trouble. It’s a given that in Latin countries a single woman will get hit on, I’ve been propositioned from Mexico, to Italy, from Costa Rica to Brazil, but never anything that I haven’t dealt with in the U.S. The only place that managed to throw me off was Jamaica. The men were so agressive that I had to actually hire a local to escort me in the streets!

Local escort, wow. Funny thing about travel: you often don’t know what to expect. It’s true that some countries it (attention) is expected to a certain degree. Important to be prepared for it or it can ruin a trip.

I traveled for 1.5 years in one stretch and then a few solo shorter trips, never did i feel alone, and I always find that I had more fun traveling alone than with friends. Now that I’m married with kid, it’s a bit different. But the best traveling I ever did was alone!

That’s great news. I was afraid that it should be the opposite, considering the danger increasing all the time. Common sense will do a long way of course, avoiding the dark places and not have any valuable stuff on you. Looking like an local as much as possible is great too.

I travel solo 90% of the time. I’m a married woman and people look at me funny when they ask if my husband is going and I say no. Travel photography is hard work best done alone. You get up early and pound the pavement for many hours while others are relaxing. It’s not fun to follow a travel photographer around.

I’ve traveled alone throughout Europe and the Americas, and I have to say that I have met few women backpacking and hosteling alone. Flying alone to visit friends and family doesn’t count and traveling with another woman is not traveling alone.

When women travel alone, they go to the safer places, don’t fully participate in all activities, and are forced to modify their dress and other habits. It appears that world travel is simply one more of many life activities, just like chess, math, science, engineering, computer programming, haute cuisine and haute couture, where women are unfortunately under-represented, especially at the higher levels of achievement.

Except women are now traveling more than men. Alone. I’ve seen quite a few women traveling alone through my travels and I think that number is growing. Yes, it’s often in safer countries, but I’ve also seen plenty in Central America and West Africa. Safe places, but poor compared to the West.

If I had waited for a traveling companion to join me, I’d never have gone anywhere, or had the wonderful cultural experiences I’ve had in my life. My first solo trip was across the US on a Greyhound bus, from Pittsburgh PA to San Luis Obispo CA when I was 21 years old. That was thirty years ago! Besides car camping in CA, my solo travels have taken me across the US, to a few countries in Europe, and Mexico (so far).

The cool thing about being a woman and traveling alone is that you never really are completely alone. It’s easier to meet people, pick up conversations with strangers and find folks to share small experiences with if you start alone. You also don’t have to travel on someone else’s time schedule or worry about whether or not they are having fun.

I have taken a couple of trips with friends, and I have to say that the ones I take alone are much more enjoyable.

Solo travel is still travel. No reason to miss the experience. And it’s true that it’s very easy to meet people while wandering. Just because a person leaves alone doesn’t mean they won’t meet lots of friends along the way.

@Stephanie

I think that’s the experience most women have traveling solo. Fun and safe. As long as individuals travel smart, it should be an issue.

I’ve traveled solo often, the first time at the age of 15, and the longest stretch for three years. I haven’t really felt more or less safe than with a travel partner, nor have I felt more or less lonely.

I haven’t stuck to the ‘safe countries’ at all. I was in Mozambique just as the war ended and there was hardly any food to be had, South Africa right after the end of Apartheid, Eritrea and Beirut after their wars too… I backpacked around Nigeria (not the smartest decision, I’ll admit) and Algeria (equally questionable) but experienced places and events I never would have as part of a couple or group.

I’ve been lonely – maybe 1-2 days a year. I can feel that way at home too. On the contrary, as a solo traveler I’ve actually found it more difficult to be on my own because I’ve so often been surrounded by well-meaning friends.

I don’t always travel solo but it is my travel style of choice. It’s as close as I feel I can ever come to absolute freedom.

Love the article and comments. I too have travelled the world solo and find it incredibly rewarding. I must say though that the only thing I do find a little intimidating is eating in a good restaurant. Yes, I do try to take something to read…but still I feel as though every one is wondering where the partner is. This is the only downside.

I am just dying to embark on a global adventure!!!! The timing will probably not get better than it is right now and heck and there’s no time like the present! I’m early 30s and ready to do this. Now that I’ve made up my mind to do it I have to put on the thinking cap and figure out how to make it happen. Does anybody have suggestions? Other great blogs, books, tips? Cities that were easier to travel and live in than others? While I have some money saved up, I’d have to figure out how to get some money in each of the places I lived. Contemplating going and just figuring it out as I go, going with a more well known company, trying resorts/hotels, volunteering, etc. Looking forward to your thoughts!

I’m a first time solo traveler leaving on a 6-months trip through Asia in 3 weeks. So far my list includes Istanbul, Sri Lanka, Thailand (south to north), Laos and Vietnam. I have a feeling that buddhist and hindu countries are more psychologically comfortable, if not safer for a single female backpacker. At least the first time around.

Still, I think that going alone is the best way to travel. I enjoyed traveling as a part of a couple, but we missed out on a lot of experiences and acquaintances, as we were always consumed with each other.